Britney, Madonna, P. Diddy make anti-piracy ads. They join dozens of other stars in an industry campaign to discourage file-swapping by Gary Susman

''Would you go into a CD store and steal a CD?'' Britney Spears asks, making an analogy to unauthorized Internet downloading of music files. ''It's the same thing, people going into the computers and loggin' on and stealing our music.'' Spears, Madonna, and dozens of other artists are making such statements in a new industry-sponsored ad campaign aimed at discouraging online music piracy.

It's not clear how effective a campaign will be that advertises in papers not known for their readership among young music listeners, or that includes statement by millionaires like Sean ''P. Diddy'' Combs, saying ''Put yourself in our shoes!'' Nonetheless, the industry considers piracy a serious threat, blaming it for the 5 percent drop in CD sales in 2001 and the 7 percent drop in the first half of 2002.

Thursday also marks the start of Congressional hearings on Internet piracy. The House is expected to explore efforts by the major labels to provide legal, paid downloads, efforts which have been criticized not only for failing to provide a cheap and easy-to-use alternative to piracy, but also for possible antitrust violations that make it difficult for independent labels to compete online.

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I like how the music industry keeps brining up the fact that sales have dropped 5-7%. They want to blame everything on intneret radio/downloading, and it's almost like they choose to ignore the fact that people are probably not buying new music because a lot of it sux (minus the soundtracks of course. ). Oh well...

JERIC
Fleet Admiral (Proprietor)

Joined: Feb 12, 2002
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Posts: 4939
Location: Richmond, VA

Posted:
Fri Sep 27, 2002 11:36 am Post subject: On the Download

[sarcasm]Of course the drop in sales has nothing to do with the economy, right? Well, it has to be piracy then. Because no matter how many companies cut jobs and how 9-11 affects us, we're all going to go out and buy more CDs than last year.[/sarcasm] I know their greedy asses wouldn't even be satisfied with 2% growth. But to mention piracy in the same breath as Internet Radio is beyond ludicrous. The major reason why sales are down is becuase we're being fed the "Same Old Shit". The RIAA caused they're own problems, now they're pointing the finger. Here's my theory, it's quite the snowball affect:

1. Let's impose royalty fees! Yeahhhh! Now ALL broadcasters (AM/FM/TV) can only afford to play the cheap and free songs (usually called "singles"). As a result, radio and TV are finacially forced to limit their playlists. In a way I don't blame broadcasters. They are a business and they have to stay alive, people with sub-6-figure salaries jobs are at stake. How much money do all the above artists make? Hmmm, not enough I suppose.

2. Now people are sick and tired of hearing the same 40 songs, 3 times a day with all the commercials (which is usually more entertaining than the music) that are neccessary to pay royalties. Where can I go to listen to fresh new music? Ahhh, the internet! P2P and Internet Radio is where. Now people are hearing new stuff and buying records from independent labels or wherever the RIAA isn't making enough money. Well, that's just not acceptable. Who is more evil, RIAA or Lables?_________________"Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?." -Maximus

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coolman109
Cadet 3

Joined: Apr 05, 2004
Member#: 6025
Posts: 11

Posted:
Sat May 01, 2004 6:20 pm Post subject:

Jeric, you have said it all._________________Calvin:What's this music?
Hobbes:It's "The 1812 Overture."
Calvin:I kinda like it. Interesting percussion section.
Hobbes:Those are cannons.
Calvin:And they perform this in crowded concert halls?? Gee, I thought classical music was borin

JERIC
Fleet Admiral (Proprietor)

Joined: Feb 12, 2002
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Location: Richmond, VA

Posted:
Sat May 01, 2004 6:43 pm Post subject:

Oh god, I can't believe you resurrected this topic. :LOL:_________________"Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?." -Maximus

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mellowman
Captain

Joined: Sep 02, 2003
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Posts: 1117
Location: UK

Posted:
Sun May 02, 2004 3:38 am Post subject:

LOL too.

Surely Coolman wins the award for resurrecting the oldest post that you challenged Robin Hood to do in this thread: